Accueil > Destination Verdon > The villages of the Verdon

The villages of the Verdon

Along the winding roads, between lavender fields and turquoise waters, the villages of the Verdon reveal an authentic heritage and a Provençal way of life. Perched on rocky outcrops, nestled on the edge of a lake or nestled in the coolness of a valley, these villages are much more than just stopovers. They are places of encounter, history and character. From our village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, to Castellane, via Aiguines, Bauduen, Quinson or Tourtour, each one has its own unique charm. This journey through the villages of the Verdon is an invitation to slow down, to stroll through the alleys, to taste the local products and to soak up the soul of a territory shaped by man and nature for centuries.

In the Gorges du Verdon

The Gorges du Verdon, a jewel of the south of France, offers a backdrop of cliffs, rivers and wild landscapes. In the heart of this great canyon, perched or lakeside villages punctuate the territory. Each one tells a story, between heritage, crafts and the Provençal art of living. Exploring the Gorges du Verdon also means discovering these charming places, where time seems to stand still.

La Palud-sur-Verdon

Nestled in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon, La Palud-sur-Verdon is a village of character that seduces with its authenticity and its exceptional natural environment.

Located at an altitude of 928 metres, this village is the ideal starting point to explore the grandiose landscapes of the canyon, especially via the famous Route des Crêtes, offering spectacular panoramas of the vertiginous cliffs of the Verdon.

The Route des Crêtes

Surrounded by varied landscapes ranging from 480 to 1,930 meters above sea level, the village offers a mosaic of unique and preserved panoramas.

La Palud-sur-Verdon is also a popular base camp for lovers of outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing and nature viewing. The Sentier Blanc Martel, a must-see hike in the Gorges, is located in this sports village!

Castellane

Castellane, nestled in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, is a town of character that marks the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. Dominated by the Roc and the Notre-Dame du Roc chapel, an imposing 184-metre limestone cliff, the town offers an exceptional panorama of the surrounding mountains.

The historic centre of Castellane, with its narrow streets, colourful facades and lively squares, bears witness to a rich medieval past. Among the remarkable monuments is the church of Saint-Victor, dating in part from the eleventh century.

Crossed by the famous Route Napoléon, Castellane is also a privileged starting point for outdoor activities. Water sports enthusiasts can indulge in rafting, canyoning or aqua-hiking on the Verdon.

White water sports in the gorges

Around the Lake of Sainte-Croix

The lake of Sainte-Croix, the turquoise jewel of the Verdon, is the largest lake in the territory. Nestled between the gorges and the plateaus, it offers a peaceful setting suitable for swimming, sailing, pedal boating or canoeing. Around its banks, several charming villages are worth a stop. Each offers privileged access to the crystal clear waters of the lake and the gentle way of life of the Verdon.

Aiguines

Clinging to the heights overlooking the Verdon, Aiguines reveals a superb panoramaof the Sainte-Croix lake. Overlooked by an elegant castle with colourful turrets, the village seduces with its authenticity and the richness of its heritage. Renowned for its woodturning craftsmanship, Aiguines showcases this know-how in a dedicated museum. The Saint-Pierre chapel offers a striking view of the Valensole plateau. At the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, this haven of peace is an ideal stopover for nature lovers.

Les Salles-sur-Verdon

Born of a singular history, this modern village replaces the old village that was swallowed up when the Sainte-Croix dam was impounded in the 1970s. Rebuilt on a promontory, Les Salles-sur-Verdon now flourishes in a preserved natural setting, between pine forests, developed beaches and green hills. The village has lost none of its soul: the fountain, bells and other heritage elements of the old site have been carefully reinstalled. Quiet and friendly, it is a perfect place to recharge your batteries or enjoy water activities.

Bauduen

Leaning against a hill on the edge of the lake, Bauduen unfolds its stone houses and its winding streets in a semicircle. The village captivates with its peaceful atmosphere, well-preserved heritage and views of the lake. Its sixteenth-century Romanesque church , the Saracen tower and the remains of the old castle bear witness to its history. In terms of leisure, the pebble beach and water activities such as paddle boarding or kayaking complete this charming destination.

Baudinard-sur-Verdon

Halfway between the lower Gorges and the lake of Sainte-Croix, Baudinard-sur-Verdon is a village with a preserved character. Its vaulted passageways, old houses and architectural heritage make it a place steeped in history. The Baudinard Gorges, framed by vertiginous cliffs, offer a unique field of exploration for nature lovers. The church of Saint-Jacques, the chapel of Notre-Dame de la Garde and the surrounding landscapes make this village a peaceful setting, ideal for an immersion in green Provence.

Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon

Proudly overlooking the lake to which it gave its name, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon extends over a rocky outcrop. With its flowery squares, narrow streets and traditional houses, this village seduces with its warm atmosphere. Rebuilt high up after the creation of the lake in the 1970s, it has been able to regain a strong soul, turned towards nature and culture. Water activities, hiking and the discovery of local traditions make it an ideal place to stay in an exceptional setting.

Walking around the lake of Sainte-Croix

In the Verdon Regional Nature Park

The Verdon Regional Natural Park is located between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var. It protects an exceptional territory shaped by the famous Gorges du Verdon, turquoise lakes and flowery plateaus. This vast natural area is home to remarkable fauna and flora as well as a rich cultural heritage. In the heart of the park, villages of character offer a unique atmosphere, mixing Provençal traditions and local crafts.

Laugh

Nicknamed “Riez la Romaine”, this city is one of the oldest in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, founded in the first century. It reveals a remarkable heritage, including the remains of a Roman temple, an early Christian baptistery, and the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral. We also discover the elegance of the plasterwork, sculpted plaster decorations dating from the Renaissance, visible at the Hôtel de Mazan. Strolling through its narrow streets lined with fountains and washhouses is like going back in time in an authentic atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of a generous nature, Riez charms lovers of history and preserved landscapes.

Valensole

Overlooking the plateau of the same name, Valensole is an emblematic village of Provence. Its 800 km² territory, one of the largest in France, is dedicated to agriculture. Lavender, almond trees, olive trees and truffles thrive here, earning the village the nickname “granary of the region”. Every summer, the purple fields in bloom attract visitors, who come to admire this living tableau with its intoxicating scents. Installed along an old Roman road, Valensole combines nature, heritage and traditions with serenity.

Valensole lavender

Quinson and the lower Gorges

Located in the heart of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, Quinson is a Provençal village rich in history and natural heritage. Built in an amphitheatre between the limestone cliffs and the waters of the Verdon, the current town, built in the fifteenth century, is surrounded by a fortified enclosure with seven crenellated towers and two gates.

The Verdon Gorges Prehistory Museum, designed by architect Norman Foster, traces a million years of human history through interactive exhibits and archaeological artifacts from the region.

The Garde Canal trail, a 10 km loop accessible from the village, follows the old monitoring path of the Verdon canal, built in the nineteenth century to supply Aix-en-Provence with water. This hike offers spectacular views of the lower gorges, with passages carved into the rock, a 120-meter tunnel, and the Sainte-Maxime chapel.

Discover the trail

Esparron-de-Verdon

This Provençal village overlooks Lake Esparron in a beautiful natural setting. Dominated by a medieval castle from the thirteenth century, classified as a historical monument, Esparron seduces with its narrow streets and stone houses. The lake, born from the Gréoux dam in 1967, is an ideal haven of peace for swimming. The discreet coves and pebble beaches give the place a peaceful atmosphere, conducive to contemplation.

Tourtour

Tourtour, nicknamed the “village in the sky of Provence”, is perched at an altitude of 635 metres in the Haut-Var. Classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, it offers panoramas of the surrounding massifs, from Sainte-Victoire to Mont Ventoux. This medieval village seduces with its cobbled streets, its stone houses with flowery facades and its many fountains. The Place des Ormeaux is a lively meeting place, especially during summer markets and festivals. Tourtour is the ideal place for art and history lovers.

Villecroze

This charming medieval village in the Haut-Var, labelled “Village of Character”, unfolds its cobbled streets and vaulted passages at the foot of a tuff cliff. Villecroze is famous for its troglodyte caves, inhabited since prehistoric times and fortified in the Middle Ages, now overlooked by a waterfall. A wooded park surrounds them, populated by Mediterranean species and punctuated by sculptures, offering a haven of freshness and poetry.

Aups

At the gateway to the Verdon, Aups combines heritage, nature and gastronomy. Its medieval streets reveal fountains, washhouses and sundials, while the clock tower and the ancient ramparts recall its fortified past. The Var capital of the black truffle, the village hosts a market dedicated to this gastronomic treasure every Thursday in winter. On other days, the stalls are full of local products: cheeses, honeys, wines, oils. A few kilometres away, the Maria de Faykod sculpture park invites you to discover your art in the heart of the Provençal landscapes. Aups seduces visitors in search of authenticity, between culture, gourmet pleasures and preserved nature.